Political slugfest breaks out between Opposition and Congress over Hemavathi river link canal project

The Karnataka government’s decision to continue work on the Hemavathi River Link Canal Project in Tumakuru district has triggered a political slugfest with the Opposition accusing the Congress of diverting water to taluks of Bengaluru South district (earlier Ramanagara).

A day after a massive protest by BJP MLAs, farmers, and seers against the commencement of work on the project near Gubbi town in Tumakuru district, H.D. Ranganath, Kunigal MLA (Congress), issued a statement that the link canal was being developed for providing water to farmers and residents of Kunigal taluk and not Magadi or Ramanagara taluks.

Mr. Ranganath, who is also a relative of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, said that Kunigal taluk had been denied justice for the last 25 years. Now the work had commenced under the leadership of Mr. Shivakumar at an estimated cost of ₹615 crore in the first phase to ensure 3.01 tmcft of water to Kunigal. The total water allocated to the district was 24 tmcft, he said.

Mr. Ranganath recalled the struggle led by former Ministers Y.K. Ramaiah and N. Huchamasty Gowda to bring water from Hemavathi river to Tumakuru district and said that some leaders from Hassan denied water to Kunigal.

“The BJP and the JD(S) leaders have been misleading the public. I am ready to continue to fight and sacrifice my life for the completion of the link canal to bring water to Kunigal taluk,” Mr. Ranganath declared.

BJP terms canal ‘unscientific’

B. Suresh Gowda, Tumakuru Rural MLA, G.B. Jyothi Ganesh, Tumakuru City MLA, and N. Ravikumar, MLC, (all BJP) have termed the link canal “unscientific”.

Mr. Gowda on Sunday said he too would be ready to sacrifice his life to stop the diversion of water to Ramanagara. He argued that the Congress-led government was attempting to divert Tumakuru district’s share of water to the Ramanagara region. 

“The Cauvery is a perennial river, whereas we receive water from the Hemavathi only for three to four months. I am not opposing giving water to Kunigal,” Mr. Gowda said.

Mr. Ravikumar asked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Mr. Shivakaumar and district in-charge Minister G. Parameshwara to hold talks with elected representatives of the district to resolve the matter.

Following the protest on Saturday, the district administration temporarily halted the work. Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways V. Somanna wrote to Mr. Siddaramaiah opposing the project.

The BJP leaders claimed that Mr. Shivakumar, who also serves as the Water Resources Minister, is spearheading the project.

Meanwhile, H.C. Balakrishna, Magadi MLA (Congress), said that the people of Magadi have been patiently and rightfully claiming their share of water. Tumakuru district has been receiving water from other river sources. “Will he (Mr. Gowda) not come to Bengaluru? We know what to do when they (Mr. Gowda and MLA for Turuvekere M.T. Krishnappa) come to Bengaluru,” Mr. Balakrishna warned.

Congress MLA opposed it

However, S.R. Srinivas, Gubbi MLA, of the Congress, said he too opposed the link canal project. “I too oppose the project and tried to meet Mr. Shivakumar on Saturday but could not meet him. I respect the people’s sentiments,” the MLA said.

Published - June 01, 2025 08:39 pm IST